Column: Working toward the best, balanced budget for Terra

Mar. 4, 2011

There are few words in the English vocabulary that can be as negative and restrictive as the word "budget." It's like a four-letter word but longer and much more unsettling.

Whether it's our household budget, our church's budget, our business's budget or our institution's budget, few things can bring more anguish than the reality of a budget that takes a funding hit.

The economic downturn in our country and state has forced, and will continue to force, some very tough decisions. We, at Terra Community College, are certainly no exception. I assure you that we struggle with making difficult budget decisions as much as anyone. It's just on a much grander scale, with livelihoods hanging in the balance. No decisions are ever made lightly.

The last couple of years at Terra have seen a number of very positive accomplishments -- double-digit enrollment increases, the new Skilled Trades Center, the current renovation of Building D and many, many student and graduate successes. For those things, we are grateful.

This fiscal year, however, our state support was cut by $412,000. We are anticipating another $800,000 to $1.2 million decrease in state support beginning July 1. These numbers are daunting and require us to consider all options to protect the larger entity.

Already, because of low enrollment and a decrease in state funding, we have suspended the Terra Truck Driving Academy.

We are looking at the Early Learning Center. While the board has agreed in the past to support a budget deficit of $30,000 to $40,000 a year, the Early Learning Center has run at a deficit nearly three times that for the past several years. Despite a series of efforts to lower the deficit, the numbers just haven't improved.

The board reviewed a series of scenarios related to the Early Learning Center at its retreat in February and will listen to public comments at its March 23 board meeting. (In accordance with standard board policy, those who wish to speak need to request permission from the board chairman in writing at least a week in advance of the meeting.) Scenarios also will be shared at the next board meeting.

We will look at many ways to balance our budget, which is required by law. We have already changed dining services to generate additional revenue and plan to defer some maintenance projects, specifically those related to the strategic energy plan.

In the end, we will continue to pursue efficient ways to serve our students and our communities. We take our stewardship of student tuition and state dollars very seriously and will do what we need to ensure the integrity and long-term viability of the college.

The word "budget" also can be a call to action. According to Webster's dictionary, it is "a plan for the coordination of resources and expenditures."

Given the current economic climate, it will take a concerted effort by everyone involved to settle on a coordinated plan that is best for Terra Community College. We remain committed to our core competencies, which are the degree and certificate programs that prepare our students for the workforce.

These will not be easy decisions, but, rest assured, they will be made with the greater good of our students in mind.